Marks and Spencer and Newlife provide supportive seat for disabled youngster

Marks and Spencer (M&S) and the Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children have given a special supportive seat to two-year-old Diego Muir, who lives in Long Itchington.

Diego has lissencephaly, epilepsy and global development delay which have resulted in cerebral palsy.

He has no independent mobility and its totally reliant on carers for all his needs.

The new seat gives him the postural support the ensure he can learn through play and its tray allows toys to be within easy reach.

Begonia Garcia, Diego’s mother, said: “Diego has a similar seat at home, but it is too bulky for us to transport to his nursery in the village, which he attends three and a half days a week.

“Before we received the equipment Diego had to either lie on the floor or sit in his pushchair when he was at nursery, which wasn’t ideal.

“It was really difficult for him to join in with the other children and he had limited interaction.

“Now he is able to take part in activities, like messy play, a lot more.

“The seat is height adjustable so he can play at floor level just as easily as being fed at table level.

“It also has wheels so he can be moved from one area of the nursery to another.”

M&S has worked with Newlife for the last six years to recycle returned products.

Newlife sells the majority of these items at its superstore in Cannock and recycles the remaining items.

This helps to fund more than 130 pieces of equipment for disabled children each year.

M&S store manager Mark Hancock said the partnership is good for the environment and improves children’s lives.